Forest Grove Outlaws, a self-described scuzz rock band out of the Pacific Northwest, probably has more to owe to Americana. But, like, the down-and-dirty kind of Americana that made me want to start this blog ten years ago. On “Damned Life,” the title track off the band’s latest EP, the band displays as much knowledge of beautiful gang harmonies as it does getting rough-and-tumble, all while grappling with life’s frustrations and disappointments.
Chad Long caught up with us to tell us more about Damned Life, the band’s writing process, and how to make a more equitable rock scene.
Explain the title of your album.
Damned Life, while also a track on the record, is meant to express the struggle of regular working-class folks trying to find happiness in a society that places such value in what feels like an unobtainable dream. It is about how we try and find an escape from our everyday drudge, sometimes by any means, good or bad.
Do you start off with the music or lyrics first? Why?
A lot if this album is a collaborative effort from different members, so there is no set rule on how our songs are written. A lot of times it stems from the music, and the subsequent lyrics follow the mood or emotional melody. What usually begins as a little riff or jam getting thrown around at practice will get recorded, and by our next practice we usually have plenty of lyrics to accompany the music. It usually takes a few weeks of teasing out the final structure of the song. And other times a member brings something to the table as a complete package and we just run with it.
Do you play covers at your shows? Why or why not?
We rarely cover other artists, but if we do it’s usually something from many decades ago. We really strive to bring an original sound to our audience, and sometimes that doesn’t always work in our favor. We find its best to throw out a single cover early in the set to get people on board, but then it’s back to FGO originals.
What’s the best way a fan can support you?
We feel like helping to spread the word and share our music is really crucial to our success. It’s hard for artists to feel seen or heard in a saturated landscape, and simply liking, sharing and, most importantly, listening is what really seems to help. It’s amazing how many venues look at your social media likes to determine your worth when it comes time to book a show. Live shows are our main source of revenue, which ultimately goes right back to making more music.
What do you think you could do to make your music or shows more accessible to a more diverse audience?
We want people from all walks of life to enjoy our music, feel accepted, and able to enjoy a good time at our shows. We try our best to bring a positive vibe and energy to each performance. It’s supposed to be about fun times and making new friends. Getting on the dance floor and letting loose seems to be a great way for people to break down any self-imposed barriers, and even for a moment can open someone’s mind to experiencing something different or new.
Damned Life is out now on your favorite streaming service.
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